She was still shaking with fury as she landed on Persephone, forcing herself to still her hands on the short-range vessel's controls and take several deep breaths before she collected her things and left to turn it over to its owning company. And yet, instead of that happening, she found herself covering her face with her hands and crying, gulping ( Read more... )

She spent as much time as she could over the next three days researching the rituals and practices, the beliefs and even the dances of the world she was to visit. She memorized at least a general form that would serve for several dances, in one two-hour session with one of their young women who was only too happy to assist her in exchange for her ( Read more... )

"'Nara ( Read more... )

"Why?"

He wasn't the first client to ask her that, wasn't the eighth, for that matter. Inara schooled her expression to the mask she'd been taught. Control. Let their emotions wash over you, move with them if you will, yet not be swept away. Bend, and regain your place when it's done. Her teacher's words, a soft memory that pricked her now ( Read more... )

It felt as though she hadn't breathed until after she heard him tottering down the hall ( Read more... )

It wasn't something she'd ever tried before. But she thought that Kaylee might like them, and if they didn't survive, well, at least she had tried ( Read more... )

She blamed Kaylee. Entirely. And Warren ( Read more... )

[Set after the BDM. Tiny spoilers for a deleted scene.]It took her several days to recover after learning she had had a torrid affair with a pirate. After that little story, though, and the one about the burning temple, she started to collect the rumors ( Read more... )

There are seven cardinal virtues taught at the Academy, though they are equally sought after as instinctive talents in the girls they accept into their ranks: Beauty, Grace, Wit, Gaiety, Charm, Brilliance, and Timing ( Read more... )

She remembered crying when she was still a girl in House Madrass, and one of the other girls had spitefully told her that she'd never amount to anything and that she was an ugly, dark little girl with frizzy hair and bony hands ( Read more... )